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On March 9, Rohit Sharma-led India beat Mitchell Santner's New Zealand at Dubai International Cricket Stadium to lift the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. While India continued their stellar run in ICC tournaments, former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja said that the win would have been more satisfying had it been at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan.
Pakistan were the hosts of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 but India played all their matches in Dubai due to political tensions between the two nations. The venue of the final was not pre-decided. Had India not reached the final, it would have been played in Lahore.
"Shoutout ot the fans as well because every player that I've talked to who's been there, they've enjoyed being there. The people of Pakistan have also come out in numbers. Their team didn't do as well as they would've liked, but they've still kept that thing, and it's been a happy moment and great tournament. I was just wishing that if India had won this in Lahore, it would've been even better. It would've been a victory beyond just the sport," Jadeja said on Sports Central's 'The Dressing Room' show.
Akram furious after PCB's zero presence in Champions Trophy ceremony
Meanwhile, former Pakistan cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Wasim Akram had expressed their disappointment over lack of representation of Pakistan officials during the Champions Trophy 2025 final post-match ceremony.
"From what I have learnt, the chairman wasn't well, but the people from the PCB who were present in the final were Sumair Ahmad and Usman Wahla. These two guys were present, but neither of them was on the stage," Akram said on the same show.
"The question now is that we were the hosts, weren't we? How come even the CEO of the Pakistan Cricket Board or whoever it may be who was representing that chairman was not on the stage? Was he not invited on the stage? I don't know what the story is, but it definitely looked odd to me as well while sitting here. It was very important to have a Pakistani on the stage. Even if he didn't present the cup for the medal, somebody should have been there."
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Akram on Hayden's visit to Pakistan
Akram also recalled when former Australia opener Matthew Hayden who has been Pakistan's batting coach messaged him about his visit to the country.
"Matthew Hayden had never been to Pakistan. So, he went to Pakistan, and after a week, he texted me on WhatsApp, 'Waz, I'm so sorry I haven't been to this country before. I'm in love with this country, the people, the food and everything'. It was an eye-opener for him that it is a normal country," Akram revealed.
Pakistan could not defend their title or win a single match at the group stage. They were beaten by the finalists India and New Zealand whereas the dead rubber against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain.
